"There is so much writing in English on Japanese cinema that can't be accepted at face value — not because the writers are careless, but because the differences in culture and language are just too intricate. When I see August Ragone's name on a piece of writing, it gives me permission to place my faith in it completely. Among Japanese fantasy film historians, he's the best working in English."—Tim Lucas, Video Watchdog

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Yesterday, I posted the fantastic news that the Criterion Collection had slyly announced, with a simple photo, that they will be prepping a DVD/BD release of the original Japanese version of GODZILLA aka GOJIRA (1954) — see previous blog post — and while, it seems, that Honda's seminal film will be getting a much-needed restoration, some have been asking if the corresponding US version helmed by Terry O. Morse, GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! (1956), starring Raymond Burr, will be included in this release. Previous home video releases of this film — and all versions screened on television, cable, and online in the last 30 years — have been culled from the same, edited telecine transfer of a 35mm master, prepared in the early 1980s by Henry G. Saperstein's UPA (United Productions of America). Unfortunately, Toho has nothing for the US version (barring the cropped "cinemascope" version released in Japan in the late 1950s), and since there was nothing else readily available, Classic Media used this very same three decade-old transfer for their 2006 release.

What was deleted? UPA's transfer is missing the original "A Transworld Release" logo at the top of the film (printed over Toho's sunburst logo), seen in early television versions (before UPA's acquisition), a starring and directed by card after the opening title, and the original — and full — ending credits sequence, which appeared between the fade out and "The End" title card. While Classic Media's release, reinstates the original ending credits sequence (taken from a 16mm print owned by a private collector), it was placed after the "The End" title card. But, the other two deletions remained absent. While several fans have 16mm prints of the initial television transfer of GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! (from a Reduction Negative) — some complete, others not — the search for original 35mm negative elements, or at the very least, an uncut 35mm theatrical print, had proved to be elusive. While there are several private (and notable) collectors who do have 35mm prints of this film, most of them wish to remain nameless, out of fear that these prints will be confiscated (which has indeed happened to collectors in the past).

So, Criterion put the call out to film collectors, everywhere, to help locate 35mm elements for GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! Startlingly, within 24 hours, through the auspices of several fans — working together and respecting the anonymity of the source — according to "insiders", a veritable Rosetta Stone, something far better than a 35mm print has been located: A 35mm Fine-Grain Print! "So, what does that mean?", you might ask. It's actually quite big deal, really. Why? The following explanation is from the article, "Duped Negatives" and "Lavender Prints": Understanding Film Restoration from The Picture Show Man:

Sometimes called a "fine-grain sub-master", or "protection print", or "lavender print", or "purple print" (because the fine-grains of the film have a slightly purple color to them). These are positive prints, made from either camera negatives or dupe (duplicate) negatives, using film that has a low contrast, extremely fine-grained emulsion. They are made expressly and exclusively for the purpose of making another dupe negative, and are not meant to be shown. (In fact, the projected image quality of these prints is poor compared to a timed projection print, and the perforations have a slightly different shape than projection prints.)

In plain English, this means that the next best thing to finding an original Interpositive (the first "positive print" made from the Camera Negative) — a first-generation print! So, while celebrating this early may be premature, I'm going to start popping the Champagne corks (or maybe some Champipple) — because a transfer from this Fine-Grain should prove to be stunning in comparison to what has been previously available to us, especially once such a transfer gets a Criterion Touch digital restoration! Many of you out there may not quite grasp the monumental thing that has happened here. This is an earth-shaking, screen-shattering thrill! This is big news, towering and tremendous — akin to the discovery of a Missing Link — and is more fantastic than I ever thought possible, to paraphrase Burr's character in GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS!

In the meantime, while the pieces fall into place, let's just keep our fingers crossed for Criterion, but not hold our collective breath (we don't want to jinx this, do we?). But still, so far, this really has been a "tale to stun the mind!"

Monday, August 22, 2011

Thanks to several insiders associated with the Criterion Collection, I was notified several months ago that Janus Films had acquired the rights to the original GODZILLA (1954), for a possible — and proper — DVD & BD release in the near future. More tell-tale signs that this was indeed a strong possibility, appeared on Criterion's Hulu page earlier this summer, which began offering free viewings of the Americanized version of the original, GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! (1956), starring Raymond Burr. This was shortly, and unceremoniously, joined by the original, uncut Japanese version with English Subtitles (both were available for free viewing without a subscription to Hulu Plus). Perhaps this was a teaser of something in the works? Could it be a dream coming true after 20 years: A deluxe, Criterion Collection Edition of GODZILLA, Spine #600?

"He must've had too much Sake."

Fans began speculation, in which some self-procalimed "authorities" doubted this possibility (citing Classic Media's licenses to both versions) or speculated/proclaimed that Criterion would only be able to gain access to Toho's recent HD Broadcast masters (used for their domestic BD releases, which still falls short of a very much needed complete restoration), fundamentally underestimating the core of what makes Criterion/Janus Films tick. Then, without warning, both films were pulled from Criterion's Hulu page as rumors (from insider sources) mounted that Criterion was indeed plotting to unleash both films on Home Video. Then, this afternoon, Criterion posted a cryptic photo of a film can — emblazoned in Japanese writing — on their Official Facebook page, which received over a hundred "likes", and numerous comments, all within two hours. Few could read the label on the film can — which translates: "Dupe Posi(tive): GODZILLA. Reel 2 of 10 Reels. Toho Company, Ltd."!

"You have your fear, which might become reality; and you have Godzilla, which is reality."

This immediately washes away any concerns over such a forthcoming release being a shovelware port of the Japanese BD or an upgrade from the aforementioned HD Broadcast Master from Toho — it would appear that Criterion is going to master this from the Interpositive elements! Such a move bodes well for a long overdue and desperately needed restoration for a film that suffers from a number of physical blemishes and damage, beyond the insulting "spackling" done with DVNR (digital video noise reduction) filtering — hardly addressing the real issues the original negative suffers from. If Criterion can conjure the same painstaking and meticulous alchemy bestowed upon their release of Kurosawa's timeless masterpiece, SEVEN SAMURAI (1954), which also suffered from many of the same ills as GODZILLA, then both cinephiles and genre fans, alike, will have a much justified reason to celebrate: A proper presentation to honor the legacies of Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya — at long last.

Disclaimer: For those unable to parse between my above speculation (based on available facts) and an official statement or press release (which has yet to be issued) — sorry, I'm not responsible for your inability to grasp such basic concepts.

Who is this Greaseball? このグリースボールは誰ですか？

Two-time Rondo Award-winning author of EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS. August has commented on Japanese film and popular culture on radio, television, in print, online, and at events for more than three decades. As a teen, he served as Horror Host Bob Wilkins' "Japanese Film" & "Godzilla Expert" at KTVU TV-2. And has lectured at Lucasfilm.

He has contributed liner notes for numerous DVD releases, edited and authored over 150 subtitle scripts, and written for periodicals such as Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Filmfax. Video Watchdog, Asian Cult Cinema, Henshin! Online, Oriental Cinema, G-Fan, Super7, Otaku USA, and Famous Monsters of Filmland.

As an events promoter, the San Francisco-born native hosted the "Japanese Fantasy Film Faire" (1979), the first Anime & Tokusatsu event outside of Japan, and has gone on to produce live music and multi-media events including The Sleazefest, Incredibly Strange Wrestling, The Greaseball, Godzillafest, and Shock It To Me!.